Arch rivals gear up for derby tussle

Published 4 Aug 2010 14:03 0 Comments

By Alistair Neil

TALBOT boss Tommy Sloan hopes to continue his side's blistering pre-season form in Saturday's crunch showdown with Cumnock.

The Beechwood Park outfit have netted an impressive 16 goals in their four friendly outings, conceding only one.

They will square up against a Cumnock side fresh from last weekend's friendly win in Durham.

Sloan, pictured right, admits the pre-season results count for nothing but is happy at how his side has gelled going into the Ardagh Glass Cup openers.

He said: "The last four games are meaningless in terms of score lines but we want to keep up the momentum. For us it's been about getting the players involved and building fitness levels.

"Cumnock will be trying to make an impression coming back into the top league this season and both sides will be wanting to win it.

"While it's not the be all and end all it's a derby match and we'll be going out to win it."

Talbot will kick off their League Cup campaign with a trip to Muirkirk tonight (Wednesday).

Bryan Slavin is expected to continue in his role as a make-shift striker while Bryan Young and Rikki Robb are both likely to return after missing Saturday's 3-0 win over Girvan.

Martin McGoldrick is also expected to return after picking up a head knock on Saturday but Gavin Collins will miss the forthcoming midweek games due to work commitments.

Sloan added: "We're only focused on the Muirkirk game and we'll show them the respect they deserve.

"We'll be using the tournament as a chance to give all the players a run out."

Meanwhile Cumnock boss Stevie Farrell has made enquiries about snapping up former Glenafton and Ayr United midfielder Jamie Doyle.

Doyle took part in last week's win over Darvel and travelled with the team to Durham at the weekend.

Chris McKnight will miss tonight's Ardagh Glass opener at home to Lugar through suspension while Gary Wild and Gareth Campbell are both struggling with injuries.

Farrell said: "We won't be thinking about Saturday's game until tonight's game is over.

"If we come out of tonight's game with a positive result we'll then look forward to the Talbot game."

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